The north side of Grosvenor Square in the 18th or early 19th century. The three houses at the far left form a unified group, but the others on this side are individually designed. Most later London squares would be more uniform.

Grosvenor Square (pronounced "Grove-ner Square") is a large garden square in the exclusive Mayfair district of London, England. Mayfair is an area of central London, England, within the City of Westminster. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland It is the centrepiece of the Mayfair property of the Dukes of Westminster, and takes its name from their surname, "Grosvenor". The title Duke of Westminster was created by Queen Victoria in 1874 and bestowed upon Richard Grosvenor the 3rd Marquess of Westminster

Sir Richard Grosvenor, obtained a licence to develop Grosvenor Square and the surrounding streets in 1710, and development is believed to have commenced in around 1721. Richard Grosvenor can refer to several people including Richard Grosvenor 1st Earl Grosvenor (1731-1802 Richard Grosvenor 2nd Marquess of Year 1710 ( MDCCX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar or a Common year Year 1721 ( MDCCXXI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Grosvenor Square was one of the three or four most fashionable residential addresses in London from its construction until the Second World War, with numerous leading members of the aristocracy in residence. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including

The early houses were generally of five or seven bays, with basement, three main stories and an attic. Some attempt was made to produce impressive groupings of houses, and Colen Campbell produced a design for a palatial east side to the square featuring thirty Corinthian columns but this was not carried out and in the end most of the houses were built to individual designs. Colen Campbell (1676–1729 was a pioneering Scottish architect who spent most of his career in England, and is credited as a founder of the Georgian style The Corinthian order is one of the Classical orders of Greek and Roman Architecture, characterized There were mews behind all four sides. For other uses see Mew. Distinguish from Muse. For a mews in falconry see Mews (falconry.

Many of the houses were rebuilt later in the 18th century or during the 19th century, generally acquiring an extra storey when this happened. The 18th century lasted from 1701 to 1800 in the Gregorian calendar, in accordance with the Anno Domini / Common Era numbering system The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar Number 26 was rebuilt in 1773-74 for the 11th Earl of Derby by Robert Adam, and is regarded as one of the architect's finest works and as a seminal example of how grandeur of effect and sophisticated planning might be achieved on a confined site. Edward Stanley 11th Earl of Derby ( 27 September 1689 – 22 February 1776) known as Sir Edward Stanley 5th Baronet, from 1714 to Robert Adam ( 3 July 1728 &ndash 3 March 1792) was a Scottish neoclassical Architect, Interior designer It was demolished and rebuilt again in the 1860s.

The central garden, which was originally reserved for the use of the occupants of the houses as was standard in a London square, is now a public park managed by The Royal Parks. The Royal Parks is an organisation within the UK Government that manages the eight Royal Parks and certain other areas of garden and parkland in London. Nearly all of the houses were demolished during the 20th century and replaced with blocks of flats in a neo-Georgian style, hotels and embassies. Access to the western side of the square is severely restricted by the very obvious security measures around the U. S. Embassy.

American presence

The former American embassy of 1938-1960 on the square was purchased by the Canadian government and renamed Macdonald House, and is part of the Canadian High Commission in London. Macdonald House is a building on Grosvenor Square in Mayfair, London that is part of the High Commission of Canada in London. The High Commission of Canada in London is the diplomatic mission from Canada to the United Kingdom.

The western side of Grosvenor Square is now occupied by the American Embassy, a large and architecturally significant modern design by Eero Saarinen, completed in 1960. The Embassy of the United States of America to the Court of St James's is situated at the American Embassy London Chancery Building in Grosvenor Square, Eero Saarinen (eːro saːrinen (August 20 1910 Kirkkonummi, Finland – September 1 1961 Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States) was Year 1960 ( MCMLX) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. It is, however, a controversial insertion into a mainly Georgian and neo-Georgian district of London. Georgian architecture is the name given in most English -speaking countries to the set of Architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840 Since 2001, a series of anti-terrorist devices have been installed around the embassy, and the road running along the front of the embassy has been closed completely to traffic. Residents living close to the embassy say the British government and police are endangering their lives by failing to adequately protect the embassy area from terrorist attacks. In 2006, the Grosvenor Square Safety Group residents association took out advertisements in The Washington Post and The Times, accusing the Metropolitan Police and local governments of a "moral failure" for not closing two roads adjacent to the embassy. The Washington Post is the largest and most circulated Newspaper in Washington D The Times is a daily national Newspaper published in the United Kingdom since 1785 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register.

Grosvenor Square has been the traditional home of the official American presence in London since President John Adams established the first American mission to the Court of St. James's in 1785. John Adams (October 30 1735 July 4 1826 was one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States. The Court of St James's is the name of the Royal court of the United Kingdom. Year 1785 ( MDCCLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common During the Second World War, Dwight D. Eisenhower established a military headquarters at 20 Grosvenor Square, and during this time the square was nicknamed "Eisenhower Platz". World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (October 14 1890 – March 28 1969 was President of the United States from 1953 until 1961 and a five-star general The United States Navy continues to use this same building as its headquarters for Europe and West Africa. West Africa or Western Africa is the Westernmost Region of the African Continent.

A statue of Franklin D. Roosevelt, sculpted by Sir William Reid Dick, stands in the square, as does a later statue of Eisenhower, sculpted by Robert Lee Dean and unveiled on 23 January 1989. Sir William Reid Dick (1879 - 1961 was a Scottish sculptor. Born in Glasgow, he became an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1921 and a Royal Events 393 - Roman Emperor Theodosius I proclaims his nine year old son Honorius co-emperor Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) [1]

The Ambassador's official residence, Winfield House, is a couple of miles away in Regent's Park. Winfield House is a mansion set in 12 acres (49000 m² of grounds in Regent's Park, London, the largest private garden in or close to Central London after For other meanings see Regent's Park (disambiguation Regent's Park (officially The Regent's Park) is one of the Royal Parks

Cultural references

In the Oscar Wilde play, The Importance of Being Earnest, the character Lady Bracknell makes mention of Grosvenor Square, "The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde (16 October 1854 – 30 November 1900 was an Irish Playwright, Novelist, poet and Author of The Importance of Being Earnest is a play by Oscar Wilde. It premiered on February 14, 1895 at the St The Importance of Being Earnest is a play by Oscar Wilde. It premiered on February 14, 1895 at the St Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland If it did it would prove a serious threat to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Square. " In addition, the eponymous protagonist in his sole novel The Picture of Dorian Gray has a house in Grosvenor Square. The Picture of Dorian Gray is the only published Novel written by Oscar Wilde, first appearing as the lead story in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine

The band Grateful Dead referenced Grosvenor Square in the opening line of their 1974 song "Scarlet Begonias". The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. " Scarlet Begonias " is a song by the Grateful Dead. The lyrics were written by Robert Hunter, and the music was written by Guitarist Jerry

On 17 March 1968, Grosvenor Square in London became, for a few hours, a battleground as 8,000 protestors against the Vietnam war besieged the American Embassy. More than 200 people were arrested. The trouble followed a big rally in Trafalgar Square, when an estimated 10,000 demonstrated against American action in Vietnam and British support for the United States. Trafalgar Square is a square in central London, England. With its position in the heart of London it is a tourist attraction its trademark is Nelson's Tensions rose as the crowd refused to back off and mounted police officers rode at the demonstrators. The protesters broke through the police ranks onto the lawn of the embassy, tearing up the plastic fence and uprooting parts of a hedge. During a protracted battle, stones, earth, firecrackers and smoke bombs were thrown. Earlier the actress Vanessa Redgrave was allowed to enter the embassy with three supporters to deliver a protest. Vanessa Redgrave, CBE (born 30 January, 1937) is an English Academy Award, two-time Cannes Best Actress, She had been one of the speakers at the rally in Trafalgar Square. The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger wrote "Street Fighting Man" after seeing the riot that ensued from an anti-Vietnam War rally in the square near the US Emabassy in 1968. Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger, Kt (born 26 July 1943 is a Golden Globe -winning and two-time Grammy -winning English rock " Street Fighting Man " is a song by English Rock and roll band The Rolling Stones featured on their 1968 album Beggars Banquet The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia

In Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice, the Bingleys and Darcys stay in Grosvenor Square when in London. Pride and Prejudice, first published on 28 January 1813, is the most famous of Jane Austen 's novels and one of the first " romantic In the 2005 movie Pride & Prejudice IMDB, Caroline Bingley, speaking snidely to Mr. Pride and Prejudice, first published on 28 January 1813, is the most famous of Jane Austen 's novels and one of the first " romantic Darcy, who stand aside watching the commoners dance, says, "We are a long way from Grosvenor Square, are we not, Mr. Darcy?"

In John le Carré spy thrillers, members of MI6 in several passages make references (often ironic or sarcastic) to "Grosvenor Square", meaning the CIA people located at the US Embassy. John le Carré is the Pseudonym of David John Moore Cornwell (born October 19, 1931 in Poole, Dorset, England The Secret Intelligence Service ( SIS) colloquially known as MI6 is the United Kingdom 's external Intelligence agency. near as long as it used to be several months ago It has been actively summarized and split into sub-articles and there is a dynamic talk page discussion of all

The Bentley Boys

Grosvenor Square was the de facto headquarters of a group of famous men of the late 1920s: the infamous Bentley Boys. The Bentley Boys were a group of gentlemen racers who drove Bentley Sports cars to victory in the 1920s This group of young, wealthy, socialites and adventurers took their name from their preference for Bentley motor cars, both for regular transport and on race tracks around Europe. Bentley Motors Limited is an English manufacturer of luxury Automobiles and Grand Tourers Bentley Motors was founded in England Between them, members of the group won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race on no fewer than five straight occasions between 1927 and 1931. The 24 Hours of Le Mans ( 24 Heures du Mans) is a sports car endurance race held annually since near the town of Le Mans, Sarthe, The 1927 24 Hours of Le Mans was a motor race which took place at Circuit de la Sarthe on 18 and 19 June 1927 The 1931 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 9th Grand Prix of Endurance and took place on June 13 and 14, 1931.

Four of the Bentley Boys - Woolf Barnato, Tim Birkin, Glen Kidston and Bernard Rubin - took adjacent flats in the fasionable south-east corner of the square, where their day-long parties became something of social legend. Joel Woolf Barnato ( 27 September 1895 &ndash 27 July 1948) was a British Financier and racing driver, one of Sir Henry Ralph Stanley "Tim" Birkin 3rd Baronet ( 26 July 1896 – 22 June 1933) was a British racing driver one of the George Pearson Glen Kidston ( 23 January 1899 – 5 May 1931, Natal, South Africa) was a record-breaking Aviator So common was the sight of their large, green sports cars parked ad hoc outside their flats, that for many years London cab drivers referred to the spot as "Bentley Corner". See also Taxicab ||-||-||}A hackney or hackney carriage (also called a cab or hack) is a Carriage or Automobile

Adlai Stevenson

On 14 July 1965, walking with Marietta Tree, then-UN Ambassador Adlai E. Stevenson suffered a heart attack, hit the pavement, and died. Marietta Peabody Tree ( 17 April, 1917 - 15 August, 1991) was an American Socialite and political supporter who represented This is about the mid-20th-century politician and diplomat for other American politicians so named see Adlai Stevenson (disambiguation. His last words were reportedly "Do not walk quite so fast. . . and do hold your head up, Marietta. "

Marietta Tree recounts: [After leaving the Embassy]

"We walked around the neighborhood a little bit and where his house had been where he had lived with his family at the end of the War, there was now an apartment house and he said that makes me feel so old. Indeed, the whole walk made him feel very not so much nostalgic but so much older. As we were walking along the street he said do not walk quite so fast and do hold your head up Marietta. I was burrowing ahead trying to get to the park as quickly as possible and then the next thing I knew, I turned around and I saw he'd gone white, gray really, and he fell and his hand brushed me as he fell and he hit the pavement with the most terrible crack and I thought he'd fractured his skull. "

References

• Summerson, John (2003). Sir John Newenham Summerson CH CBE (1904-1992 was one of the leading English architectural historians of the 20th century Georgian London. Yale University Press. Yale University Press is a book Publisher founded in 1908. It became an official department of Yale University in 1961, but remained ISBN 978-0300089882.  
• Gear Wheels: The online motoring magazine. Bentley Boys. Retrieved on 2007-02-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1258 - Baghdad falls to the Mongols, and the Abbasid Caliphate is destroyed "the bambalmerristocrats. co. uk/

See also

• Protests of 1968
• List of eponymous roads in London

External links

• Grosvenor Square, Mayfair London
• Introductory page from the Survey of London - the subsequent pages cover the past and present buildings in great detail. The Protests of 1968 consisted of a worldwide series of protests largely led by students and workers The following is a list of Eponymous roads in London.